Florida Civic Literacy Practice Exam

In what 1620 document do the writers form a "civil body politic"?

1. The Declaration of Independence

2. The Constitution

3. The Articles of Confederation

4. The Mayflower Compact

The correct answer is: The Mayflower Compact

The correct answer, the Mayflower Compact, is significant because it represents one of the first agreements to form a self-governing colony in what is now the United States. Created in 1620 by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, the document was drafted to establish a framework for governance based on mutual consent and the collective will of the people, thus forming a "civil body politic." This phrase is crucial because it implies a commitment to work together for the common good and to abide by decisions made in the interest of the group. The Mayflower Compact illustrates an early form of democracy where the colonists agreed to create and follow their own rules, acknowledging the importance of cooperation and governance by consent. This foundation set a precedent for future self-governance and democratic principles in America. The other documents listed, such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Articles of Confederation, were created later in U.S. history and reflect different contexts and complexities of governance and civil rights. None of these documents initially outlined a collective agreement to govern by the consent of the governed in the same foundational manner as the Mayflower Compact.